News Summary
Two individuals, Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui and Aaron Ali, were arrested for abusing corpses and filing fraudulent death certificates at Capital Mortuary Services in Austin, Texas. Following a tip-off, investigators found evidence of unauthorized experiments on deceased bodies. Both suspects have been released on bail, with court appearance dates set. This case raises significant concerns over the legality of the mortuary’s operations and the treatment of human remains.
Austin, Texas – Two individuals, Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, aged 50, and Aaron Ali, aged 53, were arrested and charged with several offenses, including abuse of a human corpse and fraudulent death certificates, according to the Austin Police Department. The arrests followed an investigation into alleged illegal activities at Capital Mortuary Services, where Bui reportedly conducted unauthorized experiments on deceased individuals.
Bui faces specific charges that include abuse of a corpse and five counts of tampering with governmental records. Ali, who is identified as the CEO of MedtoMarket, has been charged with abuse of a human corpse and aggravated perjury. Both suspects have since bonded out of the Travis County Jail, with their next court appearances scheduled for the coming months—Ali in May and Bui in June.
The investigation commenced on March 10 when a former embalmer notified the Texas Funeral Services Commission that his credentials were misused without his consent to file multiple fraudulent death certificates. Following this report, detectives discovered that this individual’s name had been used a staggering 129 times on these certificates without authorization.
Evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that Bui had allegedly conducted experiments on anatomical structures, particularly severed arms. Detectives reviewed a project titled “Freedom Art Experiment,” which contained images of severed arms and discussions about decomposition and suture materials for preserving specimens. A key aspect of the inquiry confirmed that at least one body had been abused during these experimental activities.
On April 6, investigators executed a search warrant at Capital Mortuary Services, where Bui reportedly admitted to forging documents for the cremation and intake of deceased bodies. She confessed to using the former embalmer’s name without consent to amend a death certificate and to using his driver’s license for state filings. Bui claimed that these undertakings were requested by MedtoMarket, the company that contracted Capital Mortuary Services.
Ali, in his role as CEO, was said to have instructed staff to preserve body parts for both experimental and training purposes. This raised concerns that Capital Mortuary Services was operating unlawfully, as it is not recognized as a licensed anatomical facility under state health and safety regulations.
During a hearing on April 16, Ali testified before state senators that MedtoMarket operated as a state-approved lab, which exclusively utilized donated bodies for training licensed professionals. However, the investigation raised substantial doubts about the accuracy of his testimony. Evidence came to light indicating that Ali had provided human arms to Capital Mortuary Services for the purpose of experimental testing.
In addition to the charges related to abuse of corpses and fraudulent activities, Bui is facing allegations of exploiting families financially by using her position as a real estate agent. She is accused of guiding families to sell their homes to cover funeral costs.
Exploratory findings by investigators included photographic evidence of the so-called experiments, power tools containing human tissue residue, and digital communications confirming the involvement of both Bui and Ali in these illegal actions. The Texas Funeral Services Commission stressed that both facilities associated with the case lacked the necessary licenses to perform anatomical research or any work involving human remains.
Authorities are urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of these crimes or have pertinent information regarding the investigation to contact the Austin Police Department.
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Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Corpse Abuse
- KXAN News
- Google Search: Austin Corpse Abuse Case
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Corpse Abuse Investigation
- FOX 7 Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mortuary Scandals
- Austin American-Statesman
- Google News: MedtoMarket Corpse Abuse
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
